A day o remember, a day to forget

Not much from me on this blog recently, perhaps because I've been preoccupied with Oisin, my beautiful collie. Diagnosed with cardimyopathy 9 months ago, he had 6 good months on treatment - including a visit to Scotland, two so-so months and this past month, failing daily until last night he reached a crisis. I called our vet, Triona first thing (I'm not too sure what time confused enough without the hour change) and very soon two lovely young women, veterinary nurses, came to the house and helped Oisin to rest. They were skilled and gentle and he put up no fight.
This day shows no sympathy, with it's magnificent clear, bright sun and the birds mock me with their chatter. But I am glad to have had the means to end his distress and lay him to rest.
My past twelve years seem to be lying covered in a blanket outside and close by, two singles, one set of twins and one set of triplets gambol about nearby. At least he saw the first of the lambs born and spent his last few days lying by their paddock.
So melancholy am I right now, I'm not sure I should be foisting this on anyone who might happen across it.
Huddie, his adopted brother, seemed bewildered by the change in circumstances. He has a hard act to follow.
The spinning wheel is a good friend at these times. I've plans to spin up these rolags, made from noily batts and ply with another green fiber. That and the lambs should keep me busy.

Shetland Shortie, Cabbage Rose, Unblocked

Unblocked - I don't mean I've finally been able to write again, rather I've not wet or dampened the last two wollie things I've made and ironed or pinned them into shape.
The Shetland Shortie. Gudrun Johnston pattern uses Bird’s Eye Lace Pattern from Barbara Walker’s “A Treasury Of Knitting Patterns" to make a very useful little front-tie bolero and it suits my purpose well.



My "eyes" are a bit unruly as is the nature of the yarn I spun for it so perhaps I should block it to even things out.
I should have blocked the individual parts (5 of them) which comprise this lapel pin thing:

but, I made it mainly just to see how the thing worked. Based on Loretta's Starburst Pattern for a hotplate, and seen on Rosknit's Ravelry project page. Used my low-twist space dyed single hand spun wool and a 4 mm crochet hook. Unblocked, it comes out all floppy and like a cabbage rose. I needs support of a little card or plastic disc behind and a pin to wear as a lapel pin.
I'll probably relent and block the first on - but perhaps not the second one.

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